14 Jun 2018

Raja Blog Shared by Lucy

Raja Parba, a festival of Odisha where we celebrate the womanhood and menstruation. I know it's a taboo all over India but It is believed that the mother Earth undergoes menstruation during this time. The term Raja came from Rajaswala which means a menstruating woman. The first day of Raja is celebrated as Pahili raja on 14th of June every year which is today. Unmarried women are restricted to do house chores during these three days and all the agricultural activities are stopped to give mother Earth some rest. This festival also marks the arrival of monsoon.

Various types of Pithas, Mitha (sweets), savory dishes are prepared to celebrate this festival but Podapitha is the signature dish of this festival. And this festival is almost incomplete without having a Mitha paan.